moravian magazine • march 2013

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A Lenten Reflection e Weekly Moravian Connection Events for Youth Ministry Moravians in Mission And more! M A R C H 2 0 1 3

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In this month's issue, we feature a Lenten reflection, the weekly Moravian connection, events for youth ministry, Moravians in mission and more!

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

A Lenten Reflection

The Weekly Moravian Connection

Events for Youth Ministry

Moravians in Mission

And more!

M A R C H 2 0 1 3

Page 2: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

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“This is the way “This is the way “This is the way “This is the way “This is the way it’s supposed to be.”

“This is the way “This is the way it’s supposed to be.”

“This is the way “This is the way it’s supposed to be.”

“This is the way “This is the way “This is the way “This is the way it’s supposed to be.”

“This is the way “This is the way “This is the way “This is the way it’s supposed to be.”

“This is the way “This is the way “This is the way “This is the way “This is the way it’s supposed to be.”

“This is the way “This is the way it’s supposed to be.”

“This is the way “This is the way it’s supposed to be.”

“This is the way “This is the way “This is the way “This is the way it’s supposed to be.”

“This is the way “This is the way

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Reflect on Jesus’ willing sacrifice on the cross with Readings for Holy Week. A tradition throughout the Moravian Church for nearly 250 years, this version is based on the NRSV translation of the Bible with music from the 1995 Moravian Book of Worship.

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Page 3: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

A Lenten Reflection

The Weekly Moravian Connection

Events for Youth Ministry

Moravians in Mission

And more!

M A R C H 2 0 1 3

March 2013 3

Member, Associated Church Press

Visit our website at http://www.moravian.org. Letters to the editor, address corrections, and other correspondence may be e-mailed to the magazine at [email protected].

Christ and him crucified remain our confession of faith

In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, love

On the cover: An image for Lent. Learn more about this month’s cover photo by reading “Ponderings” on page 4. Photo by Mike Riess

24 8

Lenten Reflection

6 Three Lenten Gifts by Bishop Kay Ward

Moravian Youth 5 Seminary offers Youth Ministry Weekend 21 Gearing up for Youth Convo 2013

Moravians in Mission 8 Back to our Mission Area in Sierra Leone 10 A Canadian congregation helps build the faith in

Nicaragua

Moravian Connections 12 Bulletin messages connect Moravians across North America

Moravian Music 14 Provinces share guidelines for using copyrighted materials

Camping Ministry 18 Take a fresh look at Hope Center

Larger Life Foundation 22 Agency helps build a larger life for Northern Province

congregations and agencies

Congregational Milestones 24 Mt. Bethel, Virginia’s first Moravian church, celebrates its

160th anniversary

Moravian Theological Seminary 26 Bryon L. Grigsby named President of Moravian Theological

Seminary

In Every Issue 5 Ponderings: A cover for Lent 28 Official Provincial Elders’ News

Page 4: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

For each issue of The Moravian, I endeavor to come up with a com-pelling cover image to welcome readers inside. With Holy Week and Easter coming early this year, I knew the March issue was the perfect opportunity to offer a Lenten image on the cover.

As I thought of imagery and symbolism associated with Lent and Easter, the three crosses on Calvary kept coming to the forefront. I wanted something that said “Moravian” and featured the symbolism of the three-cross motif.

But how could I create such an image in Bethlehem in the middle of winter? Then it came to me: I would use color, shadow and light to illustrate the idea forming in my head.

Using two old mailing tubes and some rubber bands, I fashioned a tall, slender cross shape with a base made from foam packing mate-rial. With my camera gear and my newly-fashioned cross, I was off to find the perfect location for the photo—the Moravian Seal in the entrance of my church.

I set the cross in front of the seal, placed three camera flashes at different angles in front of the cross, then put a red, green or blue gel on the front of each flash. I set my exposure, turned out the lights and pressed the shutter release…

For the neighbors across the street, it must have seemed odd to see bright flashes of light coming from the darkened entrance to the church. But what emerged from each burst was what I was hoping for —three colored crosses superimposed over a Moravian seal.

For me I see the sacrifice made by our conquering Lamb and why we follow Him in the play of color, shadow and light. The deep shadow over the lamb was unintentional, but speaks to the darkness of Good Friday. At the same time, the bright colors of the crosses symbolize the hope of our risen Lord. Does it work for you? Please feel free to share with me your thoughts on this image.

From all of us at the Interprovincial Board of Communication, we wish you a holy Lenten season and a joyous Easter.

Peace,

A cover for Lent

(ISSN 1041-0961 USPS 362600) March Vol. 44, No. 2

Publications Agreement No. 40036408 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Express Messenger International, PO Box 25058, London, Ontario N6C6A8, email: [email protected]

Official Journal, The Moravian Church in North America, Northern and Southern Provinces

Published monthly, except bimonthly January-February and July-August issues, by the Interprovincial Board of Communication, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Subscription rates: $15.00 per year, U.S.A. & Canada; $18.00 per year, all other countries.

Individual copies available for $3.00 each.

The Moravian is sent to the families of the Moravian Church as a privilege of membership. Periodicals postage paid at Bethlehem, PA. Circulation: 17,800

Postmaster please send address changes to The Moravian, PO Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245.

Continuing The North American Moravian, The Moravian and The Wachovia Moravian.

Michael Riess, Editor

Siobhan Young, Communications Assistant

Jodi Bortz, Customer Relations/Business Assistant

Interprovincial Board of Communication Paul Knouse, Paul Peucker Chair Adam Pristas Jane Burcaw Richard Sides Jane Carmichael Valerie Wagner Lance Fox Jill Westbrook Gary Kniskern

Design by Sandy Fay, Laughing Horse Graphics, Inc.

Address all correspondence regarding articles, subscriptions, or advertising to The Moravian, PO Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-1245 FAX: 610.866.9223 Phone: 610.867.0594 800.732.0591 e-mail: [email protected] www.moravian.org

Contents © 2013, Interprovincial Board of Communications, Moravian Church in North America. All rights reserved

4 The Moravian

PONDERINGS

Page 5: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

Among the many ways the church is changing before our eyes, ministry to youth is one that is seeing major shifts. To provide ideas, insights and actions to help address those changes, Moravian Theological Seminary’s Department of Continuing Education will offer a Youth Ministry Weekend on April 12 and 13.

The event starts with the Zeisberger Memo-rial Lectures on Sustainable Youth Ministry, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Friday April 12 in Prosser Auditorium, Moravian College. Led by Mark DeVries, founder of Ministry Architects and author of Family-Based Youth Ministry and Sustainable Youth Ministry, these lectures will outline the reasons why most youth min-istry remains chronically “stuck” in old and often counterproductive habits; help partici-pants assess their own ministries; and offer coherent strategies for building sustainable ministry with youth. The Seminary is offering a video stream to allow more people to par-ticipate and gain from these insightful talks.

The weekend then continues with “Catch and Release: Youth Ministry in Church and Community” on Saturday, April 13, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Bahnson Center of Moravian Theological Seminary. In this conference, youth leaders from around the country (and

internationally) will discuss strategies for en-gaging youth in ministry, including mission outreach, spiritual and theological growth, worship leadership, peer-to-peer counseling, faith sharing and community formation. At-tending the conference provides .6 CEUs.

“We encourage anyone working with youth and young adults (especially leadership teams including young people themselves!) to join us for a time of mutual learning, celebration and the sharing of ‘best practices’ as we work to strengthen this vitally important expression of the church’s life,” says Steve Simmons, Con-tinuing Education Director at the Seminary.

The Sustainable Youth Ministry lectures on Friday are free; The Youth Leadership Confer-ence has a recommended donation of $15, with proceeds going to Valley Youth House in Bethlehem. The event, which grew out of legislation from the 2010 Northern Prov-ince Synod, is underwritten by the Moravian Church Northern Province and co-sponsored by Bethlehem Area Moravians.

Registration is recommended for the lecture, (including the video stream) and conference. For more information and to reg-

Seminary offers Youth Ministry Weekend

(continued on page 30)

March 2013 5

MORAVIAN YOUTH

Page 6: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Who has not looked in the eyes of a small child and struggled with the question, “Why do we call it Good Friday?”

It is not an easy question to answer for a child or a grown-up. We usually answer with some very heavy theological explana-tion about Good Friday being part of God’s plan that Jesus should die. Or we explain it by pointing to the good that comes to us at Easter from this Friday death.

Moravians observe Holy Week with daily readings from the gospels

in order to partici-pate in the last days of Jesus’ life. In that keeping, I am al-ways struck with the

rhythm of the week, from the excitement and raucous celebration of Palm Sunday through each day until the quiet sadness of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and finally the si-lence of Saturday, the Great Sabbath.

It is the movement that brings us to the glo-ry of the Easter Sunday. We gather to declare with all Christians, “He is risen, He is risen, indeed.” You have to travel through Friday to get to Sunday. I know that as a Christian, as a Moravian, as a human being. That’s the way it works. It is in this spirit that I want to sug-gest that there are three good things about Good Friday.

Good Friday reminds us of the gift of uncer-tainty. We say to ourselves, well, if such a ter-rible thing could happen to God’s son, surely our lives are precarious, too.

It isn’t a gift that we always welcome be-cause we want guarantees. We want control. We get angry when circumstances sneak up on us. But when I sit quietly on a dark Fri-day afternoon and hear again the precious words from the cross, I try to be grateful for the life that God has given us. We are not toys for God, but people who live in relationship with God. We make choices and such free-dom gives us a complex life full of surprises, adventures and yes, uncertainty.

Good Friday reminds us of the gift of imper-fection. There in the garden, I see the friends

Three Lenten GiftsLENTEN REFLECTION

Bishop Kay Ward

Page 7: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

gathered around Jesus, just hours away from their denial. Surely if these so-called friends could fail so miserably, I can expect that my family and friends will disappoint me too. It is human. It is inevitable. But Good Friday soothes my judgment with the gift of imper-fection. When I look at those I love, I see the face of imperfection. It comforts me. It is this same face I see when I look in the mirror. On a dark Friday afternoon, as I hear the fa-miliar words of betrayal and death, I try to be grateful for the frailty that makes us all human beings, for second chances and for imperfection.

Good Friday reminds us of the gift of insepa-rability. In lives slippery with uncertainty and detoured with imperfection, I am stunned with the news that God is with us, ALWAYS. It is not God’s absence that we see there at the cross, it is God’s presence, full of grace and mercy.

So on the darkest day, on that awful after-noon, I can stand it. I can stand to be in that place at the foot of the cross. Once a year, I need to be there, probably more than once a year actually, and while I stand there at the cross, I thank God for the gift of Jesus Christ, for the gift of uncertainty, the gift of imperfec-tion, and for the gift of grace and inseparability.

God of Good, you make our lives of uncertainties and imperfection holy things. Help us to see the good in Good Friday and may every Friday remind us of your gift. Amen. ■

The Rt. Rev. Kay Ward is a bishop of the Moravian Unity and author of three books available from the IBOC: Of Seasons and Sparrows, Waiting for Spring and Heading Home. This essay appears in Heading Home. ©2005 by Kay Ward and the Interprovincial Board of Communication. Used with permission.

7Image: DesignPics

Page 8: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

Whenever I hear about the possibility of joining the Rt. Rev. Sam Gray on a trip to Si-erra Leone, I immediately sign on, because those opportunities are rare. My first one was in 2010, and the second was in December, which means I went BACK to the village of Ngiehun, and that made the visit extra special. Mohamed and Safie Braima, who lead our Moravian mission there, had told the church members that Sam and I were returning, so we arrived to the warm welcome and out-stretched arms of friends.

What did we do at the church? I participat-ed in the only children’s Sunday School class, that began the hour with 20 students and ended it with about 50. Next came worship. So that members of Mohamed’s congregation could share in his ordination that had hap-pened in the States 10 months earlier, Sam preached his sermon from that day, and then baptized 30 people of all ages. After they lit the first candle on an Advent wreath, I led a children’s message using a set of nativity fig-ures I had brought with me. There was quite a bit of singing, because when Sam is pres-ent they pull out the keyboard to add to the

beat of their drums. And the choir looked spiffy in their new robes. The service con-cluded with communion.

In a nearby village called Morfindor, 10 miles from Ngiehun, the people have request-ed that Mohamed help them start a Moravian Church. I knew this, but was surprised to see when we visited there that the building is al-most finished, lacking only windows, doors, and flooring. Inside I saw long planks resting on cement blocks. I learned they had already held several worship services in their new building, dirt floors and all, those planks be-ing the temporary pews. Mohamed will spend intentional time mentoring Pastor Tamba, who will shepherd a new group of believers.

What did we do at the Moravian second-ary school? This very important part of the church ministry has more than doubled in physical size (with an additional wing under construction), and nearly tripled in 7th-9th grade enrollment since I was last there. I was so glad to see my friend Matthew Korona, the principal, who helped me with a mammoth project. This involved penpal letters that Moriah Kimel (Little Church on the Lane in Charlotte, N.C.) had asked me to deliver from students in her town. Because mailing more than 150 responses from the village back to the States would have been very difficult, I asked Matthew to pass the letters out and give the boys and girls time to answer them that very day. Safie made the project even better by taking pictures of every student, and giving me her camera card to add to the letters that I stuffed into my suitcase.

New this year at the school is an effort

Back to Our Mission Area in Sierra Leone

The Moravian

MORAVIANS IN MISSION

Sam Gray and Donna Hurt, center, join Mohammed and Safie Braima in Sierra Leone.

Page 9: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

to provide lunch several days a week. Little Church on the Lane, where the Braimas were members during the 30 years they lived in the States, has started the support of this lunch program, with the hope that many other Moravians will join in.

Lucy and Katuma are the ladies who cook the rice and sauce, which of course takes place outside over a fire since there is no electricity in the village. What’s in the sauce varies depending on what happens to be growing nearby, but the main ingredient is beans to provide the much-needed protein. The students eat at their desks in the class-rooms and, from the way they cleaned their bowls, I could tell how grateful they were to have that midday meal.

While they were eating and I was talking to them, a funny thing happened. Even though the youth are required to speak English at school, they occasionally slip back into their Mende language. One of the boys did just that when he said to me the word ‘belay.’ I was stumped, and sheepishly responded that I did not know how to answer. He looked at me in astonishment and exclaimed, “You mean you don’t know your name?” The next time I visit Sierra Leone, I will be sure to remember that ‘belay’ means ‘what’s your name.’ And I hope that next time is not far off, for I love sharing life with the Moravians in the village of Ngiehun. Using another Mende word, I’ll say ‘kigoma,’ meaning ‘thanks be to God,’ for Mohamed and Safie Braima.

Because these two faithful Christians chose to return to the very place where they grew up, more people are hearing the Gospel. ■

Donna Hurt serves as Christian Educator at Home Moravian in Winston-Salem, NC.

March 2013

Donna Hurt shared these photos from her most recent trip to witness firsthand the work of the Moravian Church in Sierra Leone

Page 10: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

In November 2012, a team of eleven mem-bers of Millwoods Community Church in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, went on a mission trip to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, the first trip that a group from Millwoods has taken in over a decade. And while there, they strengthened both buildings and their faith. Millwoods’ pastor The Rev. Joshua Viste, shared their trip.

After about six months of planning and fund-raising, and what was a tremendous outpour-ing of support from our church community, the Millwoods team took to the skies for the long journey to Managua, Nicaragua.

After a night’s stay in Managua, we caught a morning flight to Puerto Cabezas, not re-ally knowing what to expect when we landed.

When we arrived at our destination, we were immediately overwhelmed by the love and support of the dozens of Nicaraguans who embraced us with Canadian flags and wel-come signs. A bus ride through town brought us to a nice restaurant for lunch, and some time to get to know our new friends.

Refueled, we checked into our hotel, and were then fast to work. Our project was to give a face lift to the Herrnhut Moravian Church, by helping to build a wall on the front of the property, put tile on the floor of the pastor’s office, and work on a wooden ceiling inside of the church. Our team joined with over a dozen others from the congregation and the nearby area who worked hard, and accom-plished a great deal in one week’s time.

In addition to the scheduled work, we also

A Canadian congregation helps build the faith in Nicaragua

10 The Moravian

MORAVIANS IN MISSION

Page 11: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

found a side project around which to rally, as we worked to build a ramp for a neighbor of the church. Grandma ‘E’, as we called her, was 94 years old, and wheel chair bound in her loft residence. Her only way out of the home was to have her son carry her out of the building. Thankfully however, our team’s head carpenter, Ron Adam, was quick to take some measurements and after a run to the hardware store, led the team in the building of a ramp into the lofted residence. Following a couple hours of labor, the team celebrated as Grand-ma ‘E’ was wheeled out of her home with ease.

Beyond building, the team brought down various supplies to leave in the community, including baseball equipment, soccer balls and clothes. The real treat however, was the time spent between building sessions, when we played games with the children and made crafts. Soccer, baseball and various forms of ‘tag’ were highlights for the athletically mind-ed; while pipe-cleaners, beads and coloring books worked well with the younger kids. The smiles on the children’s faces will forever be highlights from our time in Nicaragua.

In our free time, we had the opportunity to visit the Moravian College and Seminary in Puerto Cabezas, where students can pur-sue an education for about $18 a semester, though this is a financial hardship for many. We also visited the prison in Puerto Cabezas, where young men and women live in hor-rendous conditions, mostly because of some connection to the drug trade which travels through that part of Nicaragua. Throughout the week, our team came face to face with many highs and lows as we experienced as-pects of the culture in that area.

Julie Adam, at 16 our youngest team mem-ber, had this to say about her experience:

“I have wanted to be involved in a mis-

sion trip for as long as I can remember, and our trip to Nicaragua definitely did not disappoint. From the moment we ar-rived in Puerto Cabezas, we were greeted with warmth and hospitality from all the people of Herrnhut Moravian Church. It amazed me how quickly we were accepted and how we could feel like family with our fellow Moravians, despite the short amount of time we spent with them and the lan-guage barrier between us. It was incredible to sing ‘Morning Star’ in English while Ni-caraguan teenagers sang it in Miskito, and so wonderful to know that Moravian tradi-tion has been kept constant, in such dif-ferent countries worldwide. The simple yet faithful way of life that people in Nicara-gua have and the memories that were made there will be ones that I will never forget.”

The mission trip to Nicaragua was a life changing opportunity for our team from Ed-monton; an opportunity we hope and that every Moravian can experience sometime in their life. ■

Rev. Joshua R. Viste is pastor at Millwoods Community Church in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Above and left: Millwoods members worked to help improve Herrnhut Moravian Church and assist a local resident in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua.

March 2013 11

Page 12: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

Moravians in many parts of the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean all have an opportunity to share in the same powerful message of faith every week. Through the Moravian Sunday bulletin subscription offered by the Interpro-vincial Board of Communication, the words of Moravian pastors and writers enhance the teaching of the weekly scripture readings.

About 100 congregations receive the Mora-vian Sunday bulletins. This includes about three-quarters of the Northern Province con-gregations, a quarter of the Southern Province congregations, and some Moravian churches from the Eastern West Indies, Alaska, and Labrador. The covers and the meditations on the back are based on the Gospel reading of the day from the Revised Common Lectionary.

While not all Moravian pastors follow the lectionary in preparing sermons, many do. The Moravian bulletin also unites us with the many other churches that do follow the lectionary. It is common to hear that a neighboring Catholic priest or Presbyterian pastor preached on the same text as one’s Moravian pastor.

The bulletin series started in the 1940s on the initiative of F. P. Stocker of the Northern Provincial Elders’ Conference. A committee to prepare the bulletins was appointed by the Eastern District Board. This committee func-tioned until 1969, when responsibility for bul-letins moved to the Northern Province Board of Christian Education; it now rests with the Interprovincial Board of Communication.

Since 1987, first as director of publications

and now in retirement, I have been respon-sible for preparing the Sunday bulletins by recruiting writers, editing their work, and submitting it to the printer. This has been a very enjoyable responsibility that keeps me in touch with the Moravian Church throughout the United States and Canada. (The longest-serving member of the original bulletin com-mittee was Gretchen Schwarze of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, who happened to be my high school English teacher.)

The early years of the bulletin, prepared by the Moravian committee, were in one color and frequently used stock photographs of U.S. and Canadian scenery. From 1980 to 1988 we used covers from Judson Press of the American Baptist Church and provided bulletin backs written by Moravians. Bul-letins were shipped from a Moravian office in Bethlehem. Since 1988 we have worked with Augsburg Fortress Press of the Evangeli-cal Lutheran Church in America, one of the Moravian Church’s full-communion partners. Augsburg chooses the covers, adds the Mora-vian meditation on the back, and ships bul-letins to congregations.

I have invited most pastors of Northern and Southern provinces to write bulletin medita-tions. This ensures that writers are both men and women, liberal and conservative, black and white, from somewhere between Edmon-ton and Miami, Downey and Brooklyn. I try to make sure I have not missed pastors of small congregations, who seldom are heard beyond their own parishes. I do not limit my

Bulletin messages connect Moravians across North America

12 The Moravian

MORAVIAN CONNECTIONS

Page 13: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

recruiting to pastors of congregations that take the bulletin. (If your congregation has its own covers, such as a photo or sketch of your church building, you can still order the medi-tations on the back from the Interprovincial Board of Communication.)

Most pastors are glad for the chance to share their convictions and experience on the back of the bulletin. Occasionally I have moved beyond active clergy and asked lay PEC members and bishops, some of whom are retired, to write. I have also tried to give opportunity to some pastors whom I see as gifted writers by asking them to prepare a seasonal series in Advent or Lent. I have var-ied from the lectionary by providing bulletin backs for the August 13 and November 13 Moravian festivals.

After I receive a meditation, I do minor ed-iting. Most often this is because it is a little too long. Occasionally I have a question of theo-logical content or copyright permission for the writer. If you ever see my name as writer

Hermann Weinlick, a retired Moravian pastor from Minneapolis, Minnesota, served as director of publications from 1987 to 1998. He serves now as ecumenical officer of the Northern Province.

(continued on page 17)

March 2013 13

Page 14: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

In this day of instant access to images, mu-sic, words and ideas, it’s become almost too easy to lift a phrase from here or a picture from there and put them together for your church’s worship, web site or materials. But to paraphrase Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben, with that ease comes great responsibility—re-sponsibility to ensure copyrights are being respected.

The Northern and Southern Province Pro-vincial Elders’ Conferences recently approved a new document, “Guidelines for Congrega-tions and Agencies of the Moravian Church in America For the Use of Copyrighted Mate-rials.” Assembled by Moravian Music Foun-dation Executive Director Nola Knouse, this document offers an overview of what copy-right is, what copyright applies to and how to remain within the law when using copyright-ed materials.

What is copyright?The Copyright Act declares that “copyright” in an original work belongs to the creator of the work—whether the work is a visual cre-ation, musical composition, arrangement or accompaniment of a piece of music, words to a hymn or sermon, video, web site, piece of software or other protected work. The creator of the work is the first owner of the copyright and may transfer all or part of that ownership to others by assignment of licens-ing. The owner of a copyright holds five rights exclusively: the rights

• to reproduce the work

• to adapt the work

• to distribute the work or sell it

• to display it publicly

• to perform the work for the public

Provinces share guidelines for using copyrighted materials

14 The Moravian

MORAVIAN MUSIC

Page 15: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

This means that anyone other than the cre-ator (or the person or company to whom the creator has assigned or licensed the copy-right) who wants to make copies of some-thing, adapt it, sell it, display it, or perform it, has to have permission. Copyright includes such things as photocopies, printing the text in a bulletin, projecting it on a screen, includ-ing it on a CD or cassette for distribution to members or friends—anything other than its use in its original format in a “live” situation.

What does that mean to you? If you want to use a work that someone else created, you need to determine its copyright status—the simple lack of a © symbol does not mean it is not copyrighted. If someone owns copyright on it, you must obtain permission to use it.

In the digital realmMaterials on the internet are notoriously easy to copy: It is easy to download a file from a Web page—a posted graphic, original mate-rial, or even music files. However, copyright laws presently apply to anything that is posted on the Web, whether it carries a copyright no-tice or not.

Don’t presume that material you find on the Web is free for the taking and for unrestricted use. Make sure that if you decide to use some-thing you have found in cyberspace, you are as diligent about determining the material’s copyright status as you would be if the mate-rial was found in a book or hymnal.

Purchasing or renting a video does not give the right to show it anywhere other than for your personal use, and generally only in your own home. That means generally that any other use would require permission from the owner of the copyright in the video; as a spe-cific example, you need a license in order to show videos to your youth group!

Computer software is generally protected by Federal copyrights and licensing agree-ments. While some creators of software ex-pressly allow use of the software by others, this is an exception, not the general rule.

Getting permissionObtaining permission to use copyrighted materials should not be difficult if you plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute! Most often, obtaining permission requires making a written request or phone call (followed up by a confirming written communication, such as an e-mail) to the copyright owner with this information:

• What do you want to use?

• How and when will you use it? (one-time bulletin, permanent publication, record-ing; date of use and the type of event – con-cert or worship service)

• How many copies do you plan to make?

• Do you plan to sell or lease any copies?

(continued on next page)

March 2013 15

Page 16: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

• What is the organization and contact per-son, with address, telephone and email?

After you have made a request, you will re-ceive a written response indicating that you have the permission, or if permission is not granted, a reason why you may not use the work. There may be a fee to reproduce the work. The fee is usually based on the way you plan to use the work. You will usually also re-ceive a copyright permission line that you will be expected to print with the copied text, in a program or bulletin, or elsewhere.

Song books and hymnals like the Moravian Book of Worship provide copyright informa-tion either on the page of each hymn or in an acknowledgments section usually located at the back of the book. Contact information for copyright holders and administrators may also be included in the book. If no copyright is listed for the hymn, it may be in the public domain and, if it is, may be reprinted without additional permission.

Separate copyrights can be applied to the hymn tune, musical arrangement, text, or translation. In other words, each of those types of copyrightable works may be created separately and be subject to a different claim of copyright.

Moravian congregations can reproduce for worship or educational purposes materials in the Moravian Book of Worship that do not contain a separate copyright notice. When materials are used, they should be accompa-nied by the following attribution: “Reprinted from the 1995 Moravian Book of Worship with the permission of the Interprovincial Board of Communication of the Moravian Church in America.” If there is a copyright

notice below the hymn for tune and/or text, permission must be sought from the copy-right holder.

The PolicyEach person, congregation, board, and agen-cy of the Moravian Church has a clear respon-sibility to adhere to the laws of our land. “We will be subject to the civil authorities as the powers ordained of God, in accordance with the admonitions of Scripture (Rom. 13:1) (I Peter 2:13-14) and will in nowise evade the taxes and other obligations which are lawfully required of us (Rom. 13:7).” (Moravian Covenant for Christian Living, section IV, “The Witness of a Christian Citizen”, para-graph A, “Recognition of Civil Authority”). The Ten Commandants also declare, “Thou shalt not steal.” (Ex. 20:15; Deut. 5:19)

The copyright laws of the United States and Canada protect musical compositions, written prayers, sermons, poems, hymn and song lyr-ics, liturgies, videos, web sites, and software. Our commitment to Christ calls us to respect the rights of others as well as the law of the land. Each Moravian congregation, board, and agency should ensure compliance with the following policies:

a. Hymn and song texts and music, prayers, liturgies, and other worship materials shall not be copied, printed, posted on web sites, or projected without the copyright permis-sions and citations required by law.

b. All worship materials in the public domain may be used, but careful investigation will first be made before any materials are con-sidered to be in the public domain. If clear evidence of public domain status cannot be found, the materials will be treated as sub-ject to copyright protection.

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16 The Moravian

Page 17: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

c. Unauthorized photocopies, including choir music, will not be used... Warnings shall be posted at copy machines.

d. Videos shall not be shown in our churches or other public places without the proper licenses.

e. Text, videos, or pictures found on web sites shall not be copied, displayed, projected, or printed without permission.

f. Computer software shall be used only in compliance with the license purchased. If the software is licensed for use on one computer, it shall be used on one computer only.

g. It is the responsibility of each individual to comply with these guidelines and with U.S. and Canadian Copyright laws. No one shall instruct another person to act in contradic-tion to these policies, and each employee or volunteer shall have the right and re-sponsibility to refuse to act in contradic-tion to these policies or to the law as he/she understands it.

Learning moreThe full guidelines document, which includes additional information on copyright, fair use, copyright permissions, copyright licenses and additional resources, is available from www.moravian.org, www.moravianmusic.org and the Northern and Southern Provinces.

If you have specific copyright questions for materials produced by the Interprovincial Board of Communication, contact the IBOC at [email protected]; for questions about music copyrights, contact the Moravian Music Foun-dation at [email protected]. ■

(continued from page 13)

(it happens a couple times a year), it is be-cause a writer has forgotten a deadline and I have had to substitute.

Bulletins are produced and shipped to congregations on a subscription basis di-rectly from Augsburg Fortress printing. Con-gregations interested in starting the bulletin service are invited to contact the IBOC at [email protected] to learn more about pur-chasing bulletins or subscribing to the bul-letin back service.

Don Winters, former pastor of Kernersville Moravian Church in North Carolina who re-cently retired, shared, “Reading the bulletin backs was truly a highlight for me and I thor-oughly enjoyed knowing who the writer was. If I did not know the writer I made an effort to send her/him with a note and introduce myself which, I believe, served your thinking and purpose for the writers of the bulletin backs. I read them first by the quarter, as we received our quarterly bulletin stock, then again on a weekly basis. I learned much and actually met new clergy friends.”

Rachel Schacter, a member of Edgeboro Moravian Church in Bethlehem, suggested the idea of sharing the weekly message on-line for those Moravians who aren’t able to be in church on Sunday (Rachel is cur-rently studying at Drew University in New Jersey). Based on her suggestion, the weekly message is now posted Sunday mornings on www.moravian.org. Look under Faith & Congregations.

So next time you read the message on the back of your Sunday bulletin, know that Moravians across North America are sharing the same insights and learnings. ■

Bulletin messages

March 2013 17

Page 18: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

It is 1769. Peter Worbass, former manager of the Sun Inn, the Moravian accommoda-tion for visitors in Bethlehem, has arrived at a farm located across the Delaware River in the colony of New Jersey. The farm is on the way from Bethlehem to Moravian missions in New York and New England, and the Moravi-ans know it well. Worbass is to be the farm manager for a new community on land which the Moravians have just purchased. Called Green’s Land, after the farm owner, the com-munity’s name soon will be changed to Hope.

It is 1808. The Moravian settlement of Hope has grown to include a grist mill, dis-tillery, store, Gemeinhaus, school for girls

and one for boys, other industrial buildings and mills, cemetery, and stone residences for over 100 members of the community. But economic factors have forced the worldwide Moravian Church to downsize, and the entire

Take a Fresh Look at Hope Center

Susan M. Dreydoppel is the Administrative Assistant for Hope Conference & Renewal Center. She is a member of the Schoeneck Moravian Church in Nazareth, PA, and represents the Lehigh Valley, North on the Eastern District Executive Board. For more information about Hope Conference & Renewal Center, see www.camphope.org or call 908.459.4435.

18 The Moravian

CAMPING MINISTRY

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village of Hope has been sold to pay other debts. Following the Easter Sunday service, the residents climb into wagons and head for Pennsylvania, where they will relocate to Bethlehem, Nazareth and Lititz.

It is 1946. After searching for several months throughout Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, the Eastern District of the Moravian Church has found and purchased a tract of land on which to develop a Mora-vian camp and conference center. The former farm has scenic acreage, a lake for swimming and boating, is located off of main roads, and is convenient to most of the Eastern District. Coincidentally, it is just outside of Hope, New Jersey, which was founded by the Moravians. Soon some surplus buildings from the nearby military Camp Kilmer are dismantled, brought to the campsite, and turned into a lodge (now Hassler Hall, the lower lodge), the dining hall, and the original eight cabins. Within a year or two, the property is named “Camp Hope.”

It is 2013. Now called “Hope Confer-ence & Renewal Center,” the camp property has changed significantly in the past 60-plus years, especially in the last ten years. The for-mer farm fields now are wooded hillsides and shaded grounds. A pool has replaced the lake for swimming, but the lake still offers fishing for bass and boating with canoes and paddle-boats. Eight modern cabins, each one con-taining bathroom and shower facilities, have replaced the wooden and cinderblock cabins and the separate washhouses.

When were you last at Hope Center? When you were in school (a few years or decades ago)? When it was still called “Camp Hope?” During the 20th Century? Never? Perhaps it’s time to take a fresh look at Hope Center.

This isn’t your parents’ or grandparents’ camp. Hope has adapted to the 21st cen-tury, and to modern preferences. Cabins not

only have showers and toilets, they also have carpeting and ceiling fans, as well as heat, so they can be used year-round. The dining hall produces nutritious food that campers will eat; Mexican Fiesta and Italian nights are

(continued on next page)

March 2013 19

When the camp began, there were few trees on the property, in contrast to today.

An early band plays outside what is now Hassler Hall.

The Camp Hope Staff of 1959.

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always favorites. With a little advance notice, the kitchen can accommodate the growing number of campers with special food prefer-ences or food allergies. Vegetarian options are available, as well as dishes for gluten- and dairy-free diets and other specialized needs. The camp program often involves PowerPoint and recorded music, although guitars and other instruments are still prevalent. Parents can still send a letter to a camper, but they can also send an e-mail, which will be printed and delivered to the designated camper at lunch. Soon two cabins and the main buildings will be wheelchair-accessible.

Other aspects of camp have not changed. Campers are instructed to leave their cell phones, game players, and other electronics at home, so they can focus on the camp ex-perience. An important part of camp is still being close to nature. It is not uncommon to see deer or other animals in camp. Camp-ers still use the Buddy System when moving around camp. The feeling of community, of sharing a week with an extended camp fam-ily, is still strong.

Registrations are being taken now for the 2013 youth camps and youth specialty camps, and all Moravian young people are invited to come for a session of camp. They are also encouraged to bring friends with them, even if the friend is not a Moravian. Many congre-gations offer partial financial support to their members (and sometimes to their friends) who attend Hope Center. Hope is also look-ing for adults to serve as counselors, camp nurses, and role models for the various sum-mer camps.

(continued from previous page)

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The Moravian

Today’s Hope Conference Center, with modern cabins, a new dock on the lake and a large swimming pool.

Page 21: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

Convo is one of those events that is truly a once in a life time opportunity for partici-pants, because it only comes around every four years for the age group. Youth Convo is intended for young Christians who have com-pleted grades 9 through high school gradua-tion. It is a weeklong event, comparable to a Moravian camp, but it has a distinctly differ-ent experience.

“Convo” is short for “Convocation,” an in-tentional gathering of people. For this year’s Convocation we are gathering with the pur-pose of connecting young Christians from across the United States and Canada as well as focusing our attention on the relationships we have with all of the people around us.

Our Theme “Get Connected” will call the young people who seem to have mastered modern day technology to look at their life from an outside perspective. Our program will challenge participants to consider the importance of their relationships with fam-ily, church, friends and God. We will confront these relationships and focus on ideas of how to build those relationships so that each and every one of us will have a strong support sys-tem surrounding us, as well as then consider where we can be a support system for others.

Unlike camp, which is typically held at a camp resort, Convo will be held at Greens-boro College in Greensboro, North Carolina. The group will stay on the college campus

and will get to experience a safe Christian en-vironment full of music, fellowship and fun!

Although the price of the event can be in-timidating at first glance, we guarantee that the power this event has, in terms of personal growth and long term friendships, far out-weighs any price tag. The cost of Convo this year is $475.00. We encourage all Moravian Churches in North American and Canada to consider fundraising events to help aid the young people from their area to be able to participate in this year’s Youth Convo.

To register for Youth Convo 2013 simply go to www.youthconvo2013.org and regis-ter online. Also make sure to print off a copy of the code of conduct and health form after registering, fill it out and mail it in with your payment. If anyone is interested in attending the event as a counselor, please register on the website. We ask that all counselors bring at least six participants with them. Registra-tions are due by April 20, 2013.

If you have further questions about the event please check out www.youthconvo2013.org or join our Facebook page ”Moravian Youth Convo 2013 (Age14-18)” and ask our staff questions.

We look forward to seeing you in North Carolina! ■

Greg Behrend is a member of the Convo planning team.

Gearing up for Youth Convo 2013

March 2013 21

MORAVIAN YOUTH

Page 22: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

The Larger Life Foundation is an important financial support ministry of the Moravian Church, Northern Province. The Founda-tion was founded in 1920 by a small group of Moravians with the goal of establishing an endowment fund, the income of which would be allocated to give “larger life” to the minis-tries of the church now and into the future. Following approval by the Provincial Synod, a firm foundation was laid through gifts and bequests that spanned decades. The assets of the Larger Life Foundation have grown through the years and now total $10,000,000.

The financial assistance provided to North-ern Province ministries falls into three cat-egories: core ministries, discretionary grants, and loans to churches. The majority of the funding goes to support 21 core ministries. The agencies and causes include world mis-sion, ministerial training, education, home-

less support, camping programs, senior living support, ministerial pensions and supple-mental health, provincial support, and other ministries across the entire Northern Prov-ince. In the last ten years alone, more than $4 million has been awarded.

Funds are also allocated for discretionary grants, which are awarded to organizations, agencies, or congregations of the Northern Province for capital projects, start-up pro-grams, or to meet an unexpected expense. The Board established this discretionary grant program in 2011 to be more flexible in addressing immediate needs. Although the amount is modest, in two years 78 applica-tions have been received and 29 churches and ministries have received grants totaling $165,000, many being partial funding for their projects.

Finally, a small percentage of the funds are maintained in order to provide low inter-est loans to Northern Province churches for capital projects. Currently, 12 churches in Pennsylvania, New York, Washington, D.C., Canada, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and New Jer-sey have received loans from the Foundation.

Has the Larger Life Foundation made a dif-ference in the life of the church? Here are some recent comments we have received from beneficiaries of the Foundation’s funding: • “You have given us the opportunity to dream

and cast new visions for our ministry.”

Agency helps build a “larger life” for Northern Province congregations & agencies

Carolyn Clewell is vice president of the Board of Trustees of the Larger Life Foundation.

Larger Life funds have gone to assist many Northern Province initiatives, including Moravian Open Door (below), Moravian camps, mission work and much more.

The Moravian

Larger Life FoundationMORAVIAN CHURCH NORTHERN PROVINCE

Page 23: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

• “We are very grateful for the support of the LLF that helps fund a variety of programs for short-term missions, global partner-ships, disaster relief and partnerships with congregations in mission, in addition to administrative costs.”

• “Thanks to the Larger Life grant our mem-bers in wheelchairs and with walkers now have a smooth transition to enter the sanctuary without any barriers. Thank you again for your financial help. Your gifts are making a positive impact on the Christian community.”

• “Our dream has become a reality (Foun-dation grant to camping center). We took delivery of our new dock! I thank you for your part in making this project possible. We could not have done it without your generous help.”“The Larger Life Foundation exists to en-

hance the ministries of the Northern Prov-ince,” says The Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller, president of the Northern Province Provincial Elders’ Conference. “Their gifts support entities ap-proved by Synod, like the Seminary, camps and many senior living facilities owned by the church. They also help the Province sup-port local congregations and help them sig-nificantly impact their local contexts through creative mission and ministry projects.”

The Larger Life Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of seven lay members of the Moravian Church, Northern Province. Current trustees include William Kiessling, President, Lake Mills, Wis.; Kevin Brown, Staten Island, N.Y.; Carolyn Clewell, Bethesda, Md.; James Greenough, Edmonton, AB, Canada; James Jackson, Columbus, Ohio; Judy Kaaua, Victoria, Minn.; and Steve Pasqui-nelli, New Philadelphia, Ohio.

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March 2013

Page 24: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

Virginia’s first Moravian congregation cele-brated 160 years of worship in the Blue Ridge Mountains earlier this winter.

Following a year-long celebration that in-cluded special services and an anniversary challenge to raise enough money to sand and refinish their sanctuary’s floor, Mount Bethel Moravian Church in Cana, Va. celebrated their 160th year on Sunday, November 18.

A long history in the Old DominionIn 1833, Brother Van Neman Zevely, a lay-person from “The United Brethrens Home Mission Society of North Carolina,” began making trips into the Blue Ridge mountain ar-eas of southern Virginia, once known as “The Hollow.” Brother Zevely distributed religious tracts, spent most of his time teaching and preaching and soon won the hearts of most of the mountain people. One of his regular meeting places was called Volunteer Gap, lat-

er to become Mount Bethel. His work at Vol-unteer Gap was very fruitful, and the people of the area later petitioned the conference at Salem, asking for a missionary to preach and instruct the youth on a regular basis.

In 1852 the local people erected the first Moravian Church in Virginia with financial assistance from the Moravians in Salem. The new church was consecrated on November 24, 1852; on the following day 37 founding members of the Mount Bethel congregation gathered for a service of Holy Communion with Bishop John G. Herman.

Mt. Bethel, Virginia’s first Moravian church, celebrates its 160th anniversary

Bonnie S. Ayers, member of Mount Bethel Moravian Church, Cana, Virginia. Mount Bethel is part of the Mount Ararat Regional Conference of Churches. (Above) The Mt. Bethel church and congregation more than 100 years ago, and (right) as seen today.

24 The Moravian

CONGREGATIONALMILESTONES

Page 25: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

The next year, the Rev. Jacob Siewers be-came Mount Bethel’s first pastor. He lived in the church building until the mission house was completed in June, 1855. An addition was built to the church in 1903 for a school. Teachers were sent from Salem to help the lo-cal teachers with summer and winter school.

In 1920, Rev. C. D. Crouch came to Mount Bethel and soon persuaded the people to build a new church—the one where the Mount Bethel congregation worships today. On August 25, 1923, the service for laying the cornerstone of the new sanctuary was held. The present building, near the site of the first meeting place, was consecrated in 1924. In 1927 Rev. Crouch encouraged the Mount Bethel congregation to also build a new mis-sion house with help from his Salem friends.

Continued growthThe need for more space was becoming evi-dent by the end of 1966, so the congregation decided to build a new wing to the church for classrooms. The basement was finished for a fellowship hall and kitchen and the church was bricked.

Several years later, the congregation de-cided to sell the old Mission House and build a new parsonage across the road from the church. The new parsonage was finished and dedicated on August 11, 1974. In recent years, additional changes have been made to modernize the church to better accommo-date the growing congregation.

Throughout the years, Mount Bethel Mora-vian Church has been a center for worship, study, fellowship and an outreach to the com-munity. With the help of God the Mount Bethel congregation is eagerly anticipating the com-ing years serving its southern Virginia corner of “The Hollow.” ■

Mt. Bethel members George & Margaret Davis, Phyllis Fleming, Kate Hiatt and Rev. Charles and

Linda Fishel show the newly-refurbished sanctuary floor.

Page 26: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

Bryon L. Grigsby, senior vice president and vice president for academic affairs at Shenan-doah University, has been named the 16th

president of Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary.

Bryon L. Grigsby Named President of Moravian Theological Seminary

Moravian alumnus chosen to lead College and SeminaryGrigsby is a 1990 graduate of Moravian Col-lege. He will assume the presidency in July 2013, succeeding Christopher M. Thomforde, who will depart Moravian in July after serv-ing seven years as president of the College and Seminary.

“Dr. Grigsby brings experience from a number of other institutions as a scholar, a teacher and an innovative administrator,” said Lyn Trodahl Chynoweth, chair of Moravian’s Joint Board of Trustees. “His leadership skills and his commitment to the holistic student experience were touted by his colleagues. Those skills and experiences, coupled with his passion for Moravian, position him to lead Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary superbly in the coming years—a

Dr. Bryon L. Grigsby will become the new president of

Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary in July.

The Moravian

MORAVIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Page 27: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

time which will be fraught with changes to the higher education landscape in the Lehigh Val-ley and beyond.”

“As the successful administration of Dr. Thomforde concludes, Moravian is posi-tioned for even greater future success,” Trodahl Chynoweth added. “We believe that Bryon Grigsby will provide the experience, energy, and character needed to lift Mora-vian to a new level of institutional excellence and distinction.”

Kenneth J. Rampolla, chair-elect of the Board of Trustees echoed Trodahl Chyn-oweth’s enthusiasm. “It is an honor to wel-come Dr. Bryon Grigsby back to the Moravian College community as our new president-elect. His experiences as a provost, adminis-trator, professor and Greyhound make him an ideal candidate to lead Moravian as we con-tinue to strengthen and enhance our institu-tion,” he noted.

Grigsby is honored to return to Moravian and meet the challenges facing higher edu-cation and build upon the College’s strong tradition of academic excellence. “There is no greater honor than to serve your alma ma-ter, and I am truly humbled to be selected as

the next president of Moravian College. It is a call to come home,” he said. “As the sixth-oldest college in the nation, Moravian has a rich history, distinguished alumni, engaged faculty, committed student support staff, and a vibrant and active student body.

“Moravian also provides a beacon of faith through its values-based undergraduate edu-cation and the teaching at the Seminary,” Grigsby noted. “Moravian prepared me well for life, and I want to ensure that the College flourishes in the future so it can continue to transform lives. I look forward to working with those who call Moravian and the Bethle-hem community home.”

The presidential search committee worked over a six-month period with Greenwood/Asher and Associates, an executive search firm specializing in higher education. The committee solicited the input and perspec-tive of the entire campus community through face-to-face listening sessions, as well as through an online leadership survey, which also captured input from alumni.

Rev. David Bennett, chair of the Seminary Board of Trustees, chaired the search com-mittee. “The Board of Trustees of Moravian Theological Seminary is extremely pleased with Dr. Grigsby’s willingness to serve as the next president. We know Moravian will bene-fit from his collaborative leadership style and his experience in utilizing technology in high-er education,” he explained. “We are grateful for Dr. Thomforde’s excellent leadership in helping us to navigate our way through today’s changing landscape of theological education. We now welcome Dr. Grigsby’s vision as we explore new and innovative ways for prepar-ing men and women for effective leadership and service in congregational, counseling, teaching, and other ministries.” ■

“Moravian prepared me well for life, and I want to ensure that the College flourishes in

the future so it can continue to transform lives. I look forward to working with those who call Moravian and the Bethlehem

community home.”

March 2013 27

Page 28: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

Prayer Day for Moravian Unity Work March 3, 2012The first Sunday in March is designated as a day of prayer for the special causes which are supported by all provinces of our Moravian Unity. This year the Unity Offering is directed to the Congo for construction of a new class-room for the theological college.

WatchwordsAt the close of 2012, members of the Provin-cial Board of the European Continental Prov-ince met in Herrnhut, the birthplace of our renewed Moravian Church, and drew Watch-words for the Unity Board, Unity Provinces, Mission Provinces and Unity Undertakings.

The 2013 Watchword drawn for the North-ern Province is from December 16, “You bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover them with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12

The Southern Province Watchword, from August 29, is “The Lord will open for you his rich storehouse, the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season and to bless all your undertakings.” Deuteronomy 28:12

NORTHERN PROVINCE

OrdinationSister Rhonda Robinson was ordained a deacon in the Moravian Church on February 10, 2013 at St. John’s Wind-ish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Beth-lehem, Pennsylvania. Bishop J. Christian Giesler officiated at the ordination service.

Presbyterial ConsecrationBrother Tracy Robinson, presently serving as pastor in team ministry for Esperanza for Bethlehem, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was consecrated a presbyter of the Moravian Church on February 24, 2013. Bishop M. Blair Couch officiated at the service, which was held at St. John’s Windish Evangelical Lu-theran Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Bethlehem, PennsylvaniaSister Rhonda Robinson, a May 2012 gradu-ate of Moravian Theological Seminary, has ac-cepted the call to serve as part-time pastor in team ministry for Esperanza for Bethlehem, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Sister Robinson be-gan her work February 1, 2013.

28 The Moravian

OFFICIAL PROVINCIAL ELDERS’ NEWS

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RetirementBrother Dennis Rohn requested and was granted permission to retire from the ac-tive call of the Moravian Church effective May 1, 2013.

Brother Rohn was ordained a deacon of the Moravian Church June 28, 1970 and has served the church in pastorates in North Da-kota (Canaan-Casselton), Wisconsin (Kell-ner-Saratoga), Pennsylvania (Lititz, West Side, Nazareth), Ohio (Gnadenhutten, Sharon), and New York (Castleton Hill).

He also served as a member of the Eastern District Executive Board from June 2004 to June 2012.

The church is grateful for his forty-three years of faithful service.

Elizabeth D. Miller Provincial Elders’ Conference

SOUTHERN PROVINCE

OrdinationsJeff Jones, a 2011 graduate of the Mora-vian Theological Seminary, was ordained a deacon on December 30, 2012 at Rural Hall Moravian Church with Bishop Wayne Burkette officiating. Brother Jones was installed as pas-tor of Bethabara Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. on January 6.

Andrew Heil, a 2010 graduate of Wake Forest University School of Divinity, who completed additional studies at Mora-vian Theological Seminary in 2012, has accepted the call to be pastor of Hope Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. Brother Heil was ordained on February 3 at Trinity Moravian Church with Bishop Graham Rights officiating. A ser-vice of installation was held Febru-ary 10 at Hope Moravian Church.

Virginia Tobiassen, a 2010 graduate of Wake Forest University School of Divinity, who completed additional studies at Mora-vian Theological Seminary in 2012, has accepted a call to become associate pas-tor of Home Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. Sister Tobiassen was ordained at Konnoak Hills Moravian Church on Sunday, January 20, with Bishop Sam Gray officiating. A ser-vice of installation at Home Church was held Sunday, February 10.

March 2013 29

Ad Policy for The Moravian — The Moravian accepts paid advertising that is consistent with the magazine’s objectives and editorial convictions as they are stated in the purpose and mission of the Interprovincial Board of Communication. Advertisements for activities, services and products of specific interest to members of the Moravian Church have priority. The Moravian does not accept purely editorial advertisements that advocate specific ideas or issues. Articles, columns and letters to the editor are the appropriate vehicles for the presentation of ideas and issues. The Interprovincial Board of Communication is responsible for the content and design of the magazine, including advertisements. Ad rates and specifications are available www.moravian.org.

Page 30: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

ister for the lectures or the conference, visit www.moravianseminary.edu and click on “Continuing Ed.”

And mark your calendars for June 7-8, when the Seminary and the Board of World Mission will co-sponsor “Release: Listening to the Spirit,” a two-day event where young peo-ple asking the question, “What does God want me to do with my life?” will find opportunities to experience God in ways they may not have experienced before, whether through service, sharing stories and ideas, or worship. See the Seminary website for more information. ■

(continued from page 5)

But what if you don’t have a week, or coun-seling is not for you? There are still ways to take advantage of Hope Center. In the past year, one Moravian congregation celebrated its 150th anniversary with a picnic at Hope Center, and others held congregational pic-nics. Several congregations held youth retreats over a weekend at Hope Center, and one cel-ebrated Rally Day at Hope Center with a wor-ship service followed by a picnic, swimming and activities. You and your family can spend Memorial Day weekend together at Hope Cen-ter, or you can join the Quilt Camp (even if you don’t quilt) for fellowship and relaxation.

There are many ways to enjoy Hope Cen-ter, as an individual, a family, or a congrega-tion. Make this your year to rediscover what you’ve been missing. Take a fresh look at Hope Center. Watch for more on Hope Cen-ter’s 2013 camping season in the upcoming May issue of The Moravian. ■

(continued from page 20)

The Larger Life Foundation relies exclu-sively upon gifts from individuals to carry out its responsibilities. It does not receive support from Provincial or District assessments or from local congregations. Gifts of cash, stocks and other assets, and planned gifts such as be-quests, charitable gift annuities and trusts en-able the Foundation to continue to grow and serve the Church. (Information and advice on financial options is available from the Moravi-an Ministries Foundation in America’s website at www.mmfa.info. You may also contact the MMFA by calling toll free 888.722.7923 or by writing to 119 Brookstown Avenue, Suite 305, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.)

It is only with the prayers and support of our Church members and friends that the work of the Larger Life Foundation can continue to evolve and grow in the 21st century. We hope many will recognize the good that one gift can do in supporting many Northern Province Moravian ministries and missions. You can learn more about the Larger Life Foundation, the grant and loan programs, applications, and how you can help through your financial gifts and estate plans. Visit us at our website, www.largerlifefoundation.org. You may also contact Tammy Curcio, Treasurer, Post Office Box 1245, Bethlehem, PA 18016-124 or call 800.732.0591 or 610.867.7566, Ext. 17. ■

(continued from page 23)

Youth Ministry

Hope Center

Larger life

CoRReCTioN:In the statistics printed in the November 2012 issue of The Moravian Magazine, the listing for Hope Moravian Church in Winston-Salem was incorrectly marked as having an incomplete re-port. This was an error; Hope’s listing is correct and up to date and their report was received on time. 30

Page 31: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

FAITH-BASED AND WHOLLY COMMITTED to the highest financial integrity,

the Moravian Ministries Foundation is a one-of-a-kind resource for connecting Moravian

values to charitable giving and investing. Serving church administrations, agencies, and

any individual who wants to support the health and growth of Moravian ministry, the

Moravian Ministries Foundation offers an array of professional services—including

consultation, education, and access to quality investment vehicles for long-term financial

planning. Whether managing the savings of a small church, helping steer the capital

campaign of a congregation in transition, or advising an individual about the various

benefits of a planned gift, the Moravian Ministries Foundation is an extraordinary and

trusted steward of Moravian aspirations.

God has a PERFECT plan. Doing His work requires a

f inancial one.

Invest Where You Believe

www.mmfa.info | 119 Brookstown Avenue, Suite 305 | Winston-Salem, NC 27101 | 888.722.7923

JOIN US ON

Page 32: Moravian Magazine • March 2013

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ges t

o: T

he M

orav

ian,

P.o.

Box

124

5, B

ethl

ehem

, PA

1801

6-12

45

P

erio

dica

ls